As the warm weather continues in earnest, noted below are several more wines that are quite suitable for summertime quaffing or as accompaniments to a variety of items hot off the grill.
France: Cave des Grands Crus Blancs Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Vinzelles 2014 – Cave des Grands Crus Blancs (or CGCB) is a group of small wine growers established in 1929 in Vinzelles and Loché, two villages located next to Pouilly-Fuissé. This small cooperative represents 330 acres in France’s Mâcon region, which includes appellations Mâcon-Loché, Mâcon-Vinzelles, Mâcon-Chaintré, Pouilly-Loché, and Pouilly-Vinzelles.
Vinzelles is a small village located in the southern part of the Mâconnais in the department of Saône and Loire. Pouilly-Vinzelles appellation is comprised of only 13 acres, only 10% of the size of its famous – and infinitely better known – neighbor, Pouilly-Fuissé. The appellation, created in 1937, is a single plot selection with vines averaging 30-70 years.
The 2014 Pouilly-Vinzelles is produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes picked from 45-year-old vines. The wine is then fermented, aged in stainless steel vats with partial malolactic (secondary) fermentation, and remains unoaked. This gives the wine a fresh and vibrant acidity, tangy texture, and refreshing aftertaste.
The Wine Enthusiast bestowed 90 points (100-point scale) and an “Editors’ Choice” designation. Normally retailing around the $26.00 mark, Pennsylvania State Stores currently have it on sale for $16.99.
Oregon: King Estate “Acrobat” Pinot Gris 2014 – Wine writer Matt Kramer of The Oregonian considers King Estate the benchmark producer of Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio) in the country. In the 2007 edition of Wine & Spirits magazine’s annual restaurant poll, a survey of only the top Zagat-rated restaurants across the United States, King Estate Pinot Gris was the number one ranked domestic wine in the Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio category and number two overall in the category, the highest rank for an Oregon producer in the 18-year history of the poll.
King Estate’s “Acrobat” label, launched in 2009, was specifically designed to offer wine lovers quality wines at reasonable prices. From its inception, Acrobat has been a huge success. So much so, in fact, that in 2014, King Estate announced that their wildly popular Acrobat Wine would be separated into a new division of the company, which would include the brand’s own winery and licensing, new director of winemaking, and designated sales team.
The 2013 Acrobat Pinot Gris, which I reviewed in July of last year (2015), garnered 90 points from both the Wine Enthusiast and Wine & Spirits, was the perfect companion for summertime imbibing and/or dining, and a positive steal at $13.00 – $14.00 a bottle. Unfortunately, except for a few strays here and there, the vintage is all but gone.
The good news, however, is that the 2014 Acrobat Pinot Gris, which I sampled just recently, is almost its equal. Receiving 88 points and a “Best Buy” designation from the Wine Enthusiast, the 2014 is lush & creamy on the palate and refreshingly crisp & clean at the finish. And, like its predecessor, it is a versatile, food-friendly wine that pairs exceedingly well with a variety of warm weather menu items. The best part, though, might just be the price. Normally retailing around the $15.00 mark, I’ve seen it going for as low as $9.69 a shot… So do a bit of googling and you just might be rewarded.
Cheers & Bon Appétit!
TAD
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